Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-11
FOR THE LADIES.
SOME OF TIE FAEcIrs AVID FoLLIRs
OF FASHION.
Tailor. Xads Costumes-summer Robes
Alpsoa- Fashionable and Costly
Underwear An Odd Idea.
Correspondence Of tho Richmond DIspatch.l

Correspondence OF tno hicnulvhh biSpttn.l
NEW YORK, September 10, 1887.
While it is certain that tailor-made
costumes are becoming quite frequent
about town, still the popular summer
"robes" have not quite lost their use
fitness yet. Some of the prettiest ma
terials for wear at this season of the year
are the fine French silk-warp Examines,
which are imported in such charmingly
delicate hues, and which are so exceed
inply soft and diaphanous. They are
quite inexpensive at this time, when the
season is closing, and are therefore
rather useful, if even only as an invest
mcnt. At from s. to s. these robes Fl"
come, with the necessary embroidered
etamine for trimming, when earlier in
the season they were worth quite three
times that amount. Examines seem to
be peculiarly fit for use at the sea
shore. and as seaside dresses they
have achieved their chief popularity.
but they are, nevertheless, on account
Of their beautiful draping quality and
softness of texture, also of much value
rs home or indoor costumes They
require little trimming and always look
dTessy."
Alpaca is usually, at this time, con-
sidered decidedly old-fashioned. This
season, however, it will be extensively
employed for travelling costumes. 1t
will form the "going-away dresses OF
many of our fashionable brides of the
autumn, and will be also much worn by
lacy tourists. The color is generally
steel gray.
Fashionable underwear increases al
most monthly in elegance and costli-
ness.
1t seems to be now woman's ambition
TO make this portion of the toilet,
although all unseen by the eye of the
world, relatively the most expensive de
tail of her costume. This taste is the
birth of a very few years formerly the
garments worn were entirely OF cheap
material-muslin, linen, or cambria,
trimmed with plainness and with orna-
mentation which could be created by
the hands Of the wearer herself. Then
one could not pay $40 or $50 for pair
of corsets. But nowadays the under
garments must be of fine lawn, fOulard,
or silk, trimmed with real Valenciennes
or Nachlin, garnished with satin rib
bon and formed after the latest and
most approved Partisan designs. For
evening it is essential that not alone
the stockings, but every item OF under
wear should match in color the toilet
worn upon the occasion.
Gloves for wear on the street are
nearly all in Suede, fawn or tan shades.
The undressed kid is left in the natural
color the finished glove is dyed to a
similar shade.
Hcre are a few costumes for the early
fall season 4 very neat and Jaunty
polonaise costume Tor the street is of
ladies' cloth, with skirt Of striped
woollen material. The polonaise itself
reaches to the foot of the skirt on the
left side, but is SO caught up on the
right hip as to expose that side and q
portion Of the front OF the skirt. 1t
fastens with rowof smallcloth-covered
buttons, running from the right side Of
the collar to the left hip in front, and
has pant OF the way down single re-
vers of velvet, cut square, and follow
ing the line Of the opening. Below the
waist the skirt Of the pOlonaise IS laid
in heavy folds 50 as to give a drapery
effect. The back draperies are full,
60u6ant above the hips, and allowing
the skirt to show at interstlces on the
sides, pretty far back. Cuffs and col
lars are of velvet.
A rich house costume is IN maze su-
rah, trimmed with velvet and pas5e-
menterie. The sleeves are made loose
upon the arms, and shirred in tight for
four or five inches above the cuffs,
which are OF Charles X. velvet. The
two sides Of the basque fold in, one be-
meath the other, with several plaits laid
at their edges, over a vest Of the velvet,
which Is enriched with bead plssemen-
terie. The collar is also beaded, aud
an antique velvet belt clasped about
the waist is so ornamental with bead
work that it reminds one of the zones
which encircled the waists of medieval
chatelaines. The skirt is round and
old fashioned in form, without drape-
~, save at the back, aud end
ing in n wide border of the
velvet with band of bead-work
upon it. This border terminates be-
meath the drapery at the back. This Is
q dress which is exceedingly novel, and
even striking in effect. The color5,
il not rs above, should be, neyerthe-
less, odd, and the velvet should be
chosen with q view to sharp and
clever contrast with the surah, as with
such a gown nearly everything de
ponds upon the effect produced. II
may be added that little touch OF
what msy be called the O,sfre quality
in dress is entirely admissible with this
style OF costume.
A ladies tailor OF some note here
has undertaken not only to furnish
his patrons with tlilormad costumes
ard habits of mathematical fit, but 10
make corsets for them as well, on the
same exact principles. Odd idea, is 1t
not 4. II. NJ.